Ratchet drive for tools



June 28, 1949. G. G. SHURTLEFF RATCHET DRIVE FOR TOOLS Filed Aug. 3, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 28, 1949, G. G, SHURTLEFF i RATCHET DRIVE FOR TooLs Filed Aug. 3, 194e K zsheets-shee' 2 Inventor Patented June 28, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RATCHET DRIVE FOR TOOLS George Shurtleff, Panama City, Fla. ApplicationAugust 3, 1946, Serial No. 688,364 1o claims. rc1. 74-127) This invention relates to new and useful irnprovements and structural renements in ratchet drives for tools, more specifically, to .a ratchet drive such as may be conveniently and effectively employed as a socket screw driver .or Wrench.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a ratchet drive for such screw .driver or Wrench, which is of a flexible character, inordcr that the wrench socket may be conveniently employed in restricted or poorly accessible locations, where wrenches of conventional design could not be eicently used.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a ratchet drive which may be quickly and ccnveniently manipulated.

Another object of the invention lis to provide a ratchet drive which will readily lenditseifnfor use in various modified forms orv stages of assembly, as will be hereinafter more fully :set forth. In this manner, the versatility and the general utility of the invention is considerably enhanced.

An additional object `oi? the invention is to provide a ratchet drive which is simple i-n const-ructicn and operation and which cannot easily become damaged,

A still further object of the invention is to provide a ratchet `drive which `will readily lend-itself to economical manufacture.

With the above important objects-in View, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specication proceeds, the invention-consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as-illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation .of the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, .cross-sectional view thereof.

Figure 3 is a side `elevation of the same.

Figure 4 is an end view,taken in the direction of the arrow 4 in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken in the plane of the line 5-5 in Figure y2.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View, taken in the plane of the line 6-6 in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a further end view of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the ratchet drive mechanism and handle used in the invention, showing the same associated with a modified form of a socket receiving adaptor with respect to those illustrated inthe preceding figures.

Figure 9 is a perspective View of the ratchet sleeve and hand grip.

Figure 10 is a perspective View of the .socket receiving adaptor `and stem, and

Figure 1i is a fragmentary view of the ratchet screw.

Like characters of` reference are used to designate like parts in the .Specication and throughout the several views..

Referring .now to lthe accompanying drawings in detail the invention embodies in its .construction an ,elongatedy yoke designated generally by the reference -character l5, the same being congnrated substantially as shown and consisting of the side members I6. and the .end membersy I1.

In effectg the yoke' l5 constitutes a `handle and it will be noted that the side members I6 thereof are pr-.ovided with longitudinally extending bores 1.8, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A reversible ratchet screw .I9 of conventional design is rotatably journalled in the .end members I'I of the Yoke I5, oneof the end members Il being provided with l,a suitable bore 2.0, while the remaining .end member .I1 is formed with a boss 2l formed with a bore22v, for the purpose of journalling the screw IB ,in the yoke.

A ratchet sleeve 23. is slidably positioned on the screw 1.9, the sleeve being Vequipped with a clutch 2,4, this in turn, being adapted for coaction with the thread .end .of the screw I9. The screw together with the sleeve 23a nd the catch 24 constitute .a ratchety mechanism of .conventional design, in which the sliding of -the sleeve will effect a clockwise or an antigcloekwise rota-tion of the screw, depending upon the setting of the clutch 24.. It is believed .that the operation of this ratchet mechanism is well-known in the art, and accordingly, further description thereof at'this point is deemed unnecessary,

The sleeve 23 is provided with a pair of arms, constituting a diametrically extending crosshead or hand-grip 25. LThe outer extremities of this cross-head are `formed with guide portions 26, these lextending through longitudinal slots 21 provided in the side members I6 and slidably engaging the aforementioned bores I8. It will be noted that-one end of each of these bores is :closed and a compression spring 28 is positoned between closed end of each "bore and the guide 12:6, fior urging the cross-head i215 in the direction or the arrow 29. A suitable set screw .Bfis provided :in-...the remaining tend of each of the bores L8, to limit the .sliding movement of the cross-head.

A further boss .3l r.formed on the remaining end member I1, this boss tn turn, being formed with a counter-bore 32, Ito receive a .coupling `33. The adjacent endof the yscrew i3 projects into 3 the boss 32 and engages this coupling, the screw I9 being provided with a ball 34 on which the coupling may be snapped and retained in position thereby.

The outer lateral surface of the boss 3I is equipped with a spring pressed ball 35, this being adapted for co-action with a connector sleeve 36. This sleeve is conflgurated substantially as shown and it will be apparent that by virtue of the ball 35, the sleeve may be separably connected or snapped on to the boss 3'I.

A flexible conduit 3l is secured at one end thereof in the sleeve 36, and a exible cable 38 is rotatably positioned in the conduit 37, as will be clearly apparent from the accompanying drawings. One end of the cable 38 is secured in an adaptor bushing 39, this bushing being adapted for separable connection to the aforementioned coupling 33, by means of the spring pressed ball 40.

It will be apparent that in the aforementioned manner, the conduit 3l together With the associated cable 39 may be readily disconnected from the boss 3l and the coupling 33 respectively.

It will be also observed that the bushing 39 is provided with a suitable groove to receive a horseshoe-shaped keeper 39', the latter engaging a seat, so to speak, formed at the inner end of a ycounterbore 36' provided in the aforementioned sleeve 36. The purpose of the keeper 39' i Will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The outer end of the cable 38 is secured in a shank 4I, this projecting from the adjacent end of the conduit 38 and terminating in a fork 42. This fork is provided with a pair of transversely aligned apertures 43 adapted to receive a pivot pin 44, the latter also passing through a further aperture 45 provided in a tool receiving adaptor 46. In this manner, the adaptor 46 is pivotally connected to the fork 42 and a suitable spring pressed ball 4l is provided in the fork 42 for normally retaining the adaptor 46 in the longitudinally extended position.

The adaptor 46 is, of course, designed to receive suitable wrench or screw driver sockets (not shown), a suitable ball 48 being provided on the adaptor, for removably retaining said sockets in position thereon.

Referring again to the aforementioned screw I9, the same is removably retained in position in the yoke I5 by a horseshoe-shaped keeper 49, removably engaging an annular groove 59 formed adjacent the end of the screw I9. The keeper 49 is seated in a counterbore 5I formed in the end member I '5, and a, suitable set screw 52 is employed for retaining the entire assembly in position.

When the invention is placed in use, the wrench or screw driver socket is applied to the adaptor 46 as already described, and by holding the outer end member II of the handle I5 and simultaneously pressing the hand-grip 25 in the direction of said member as shown at 53, the sliding of the sleeve 23 on the screw I9 will effect a corresponding rotation of the socket. The direction in which the socket is rotated is, of course, dependent upon the setting of the clutch 24, and it will be apparent that in this manner, the

socket may be rotated so as to tighten or loosen the bolt, or the like, to which it is applied.

By Virtue of the inherent flexibility of the conduit 31 and the cable 38, the socket on the adaptor 46 may be operated at various angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the screw I9. The advantages of this arrangement will be readily appreciated when the invention is used in restricted or poorly accessible locations.

It will be also noted that the springs 28 will assist in returning the hand-grip 25 to its original position adjacent the cable end of the yoke I5, thereby preparing the same for the next tightening or loosening operation.

It should be stated at this point that when the handle I5 is separated from the exible cable 38 and the sleeeve 36, as'has been already explained, the cable 38 may be withdrawn from the conduit 3'I for purposes of cleaning, inspection or repair. This is accomplished by simply sliding the free end of the cable 38 inwardly (in the direction of the arrow 4 in Figure 1), so as to expose the adaptor bushing 39 and the keeper 39 at the relatively opposite end of the conduit, namely, at the end of the conduit provided with the sleeve 36. The keeper 39 may then be removed from the adaptor bushing 39, whereupon the cable 38 may be withdrawn from the opposite end of the conduit.

Particular reference now being had to the accompanying Figure 8, the flexible cable 38, together with its conduit 31, may be removed from the handle I5, in the manner already described, and a solid stem 54 may be applied directly to the coupling 33, in place of the flexible cable. The stem 54 is provided at the outer end thereof with a socket receiving adaptor 55, and the operation of the invention when used in this manner, is similar to that already described, with the exception of the advantages afforded by the flexibility of the cable 31.

Referring again to the primary embodiment of the invention, it will be noted that the pivoted connection of the adaptor 46 to the fork 42 will permit the conduit 3'I and the associated handle l5 to be angulated with respect to the adaptor and socket associated therewith. In this manner, the handle and conduit may be employed with increased mechanical advantage for the final tightening or the initial loosening of bolts, to which the invention is applied.

In addition to its use in association with Wrench sockets as herein described, the invention may obviously also be used with other tools, such as screw drivers, drill chucks and the like.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention:

1. A ratchet drive for tools comprising in cornbination, a yoke forming a handle, a ratchet screw rotatably journalled in said yoke, a slidable ratchet sleeve positioned on said screw and adapted for co-action therewith, a hand-grip on said sleeve, said hand-grip engaging the sides of said yoke, a flexible conduit separably conn nected at one end thereof to said yoke, a flexible cable rotatably positioned in said conduit and separably connected at one end thereof to said ,y screw, and a tool receiving adaptor at the remaining end of said cable.

2. The device'as defined in claim l together .5 'with means for restricting the extent of sliding of said sleeve.

3. A ratchet drive for tools comprising in combination, an elongated yoke forming a handle, a reversible ratchet screw rotatably journalled in said yoke, a ratchet sleeve slidably positioned on said screw and adapted for co-action therewith, a hand-grip on said sleeve, said hand-grip slidably engaging the sides of said yoke, means for restricting the extent of sliding of said handgrip and said associated sleeve, a flexible conduit separably connected at one end thereof to one end of said yoke, a flexible cable rotatably positioned in said conduit and separably connected at one end thereof to said screw, a shank at the remaining end of said cable, said shank projecting from said conduit and forming a fork at the projecting extremity thereof, and a tool receiving adaptor pivotally mounted in said fork, the sliding of said sleeve causing the rotation of said adaptor.

4. In a tool driving mechanism, an elongated yoke forming a handle, a ratchet screw rotatably journalled in said yoke, a slidable ratchet sleeve slidably positioned on said screw and adapted for coaction therewith, a hand grip provided on said sleeve and slidably engaging the sides of said yoke, and means for operatively connecting said screw to a tool.

5. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein said means includes a tool driving member and a coupling separably connecting said member to said screw.

6. The device as defined in claim 4 wherein said -yoke provides a stop for said sleeve, and resilient means for urging said sleeve against said stop.

7. The device as defined in claim 4 together with adjustable stops provided on vsaid yoke to engage said hand grip, and resilient means for urging said hand grip against said stops.

8. In a tool driving mechanism, an elongated `yoke having side and end portions and forming a handle, a ratchet screw rotatably journalled in said end portions, a coacting ratchet sleeve slidable on said screw, a transversely extending hand grip on said sleeve, the side portions of said yoke being formed with laterally slotted and longitudinally extending bores, the end portions of said hand grip terminating in guides slidable in said bores, adjustable stops and compression springs in said bores, said springs engaging said guides and urging the same toward said stops, and means for operatively connecting said screw to a tool.

9. The device as defined in claim 8 wherein said means includes a tool driving member and a coupling separably connecting said member to said screw.

10. The device as deiined in claim 8 wherein portions of said bores are screw-threaded, said adjustable stops comprising externally rotatable set screws provided in the screw-threaded portions of said bores.

GEORGE G. SHURTLEFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 977,288 Euchenhaufer Nov. 29, 1910 1,507,990 Donaldson Sept. 9, 1924 2,023,693 Miller Dec. 10, 1935 2,301,413 Kilcup Nov. 10, 1942 

